the fifth honey bee species to be described of the seven known species of Apis, and its biology, geographic distribution, and its specific status was recognized by many authors

However, the actual identity of the species was poorly understood, and only recently has it been diagnostically separated from its sister speciesApis florea since there are sites where both A. andreniformis and A. florea live conspecifically

The most significant morphological characteristic of the species are black stripes on the legs, specifically on the tibia and on the dorsolateral (back and side) surface of the basitarsus. (See Arthropod leg)